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Quotation from West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette by Supreme Court of the United States

“The very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts.”

Supreme Court of the United States

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, Opinion of the Court (Jackson, J.), answer to the third Gobitis premise (U.S. Reports text (Wikisource))

Portrait of Supreme Court of the United States

Jackson replies to the argument that liberties should be defended in legislatures rather than courts.

Citation: "The very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts." — Supreme Court of the United States, West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, Opinion of the Court (Jackson, J.), answer to the third Gobitis premise (U.S. Reports text (Wikisource)). (id west-virginia-v-barnette-q2)

Portrait: Roberthjackson, Harris & Ewing, Public domain.

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